Ibrahim Traoré joins Slavia on loan

Ivorian midfielder Ibrahim Benjamin Traoré joins the red-whites from Fastav Zlín. 29-year old player moves to Slavia on loan till the end of 2018 with subsequent option.

Central midfielder Ibrahim Benjamin Traoré joins Slavia on loan until the end of autumn part with subsequent option.

“We brought Ibra because our selection in midfield shrank due to injuries. Jakub Hromada could be out for the rest of the autumn season and as we play in group stage of Europa League, there will be a lot of games. We don’t want to overload Josef Hušbauer and Tomáš Souček,” Slavia Sports Director Jan Nezmar said.

“He is type of player who could play on both positions in the midfield. And he is in very good shape now, which he proved in Zlín. We believe his performance in Slavia will be similarly good,” Nezmar added.

“I am happy my loan to Slavia was completed and I am here now. I was glad to hear that Slavia is interested in me. After the game against Slovácko last week I have been offered a contract and I will join the team on Tuesday training session,” Traoré explained.

Ibrahim Benjamin Traoré was born in Abijan, Ivory Coast, on 16th September 1988. He started his senior career in Al-Ahly club from Libyan city of Benghazi. In 2014 he moved to the Czech Republic inspired by his fellow Ivorian Bony Wilfried (former Sparta player transferred to Vitesse, Swansea and Manchester City). He got his first contract in second-tier club Táborsko playing 48 competitive games and scoring 9 goals during incomplete 4 seasons.

In 2016 Traoré signed for Fastav Zlín in the Czech First League. Since then he helped Zlín to win the 2016/17 MOL Cup and qualify for the UEFA Europa League. He played 6 games in the Europa League group stage in 2017. He has 52 starts overall for Zlín with record of 2 goals and 7 assists. This season Traoré was one of the key players for Fastav’s successful start into the Czech league (currently 4th place with 5-1-1 record).